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Our Annual Appeal - Caring Sunday 2025

In a world that often feels uncertain and divided, your generosity continues to shine as a beacon of hope—illuminating the lives of the most vulnerable among us.As Pope Leo XVI so wisely reminded us: “Helping the poor is a matter of justice before a question of charity.” This is a sentiment we see lived out through the actions of our generous donors and supporters. Thanks to all of our supporters throughout the last year, the Common Good Foundation was able to put love into motion—b...

We need you! Calling all volunteers for Caring Sunday.

Our annual appeal is just around the corner, and we’re inviting you to help raise vital funds for our grants programme. Caring Sunday will take place over the last weekend of July—Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th.We're currently seeking volunteers to represent the Common Good Foundation at Masses throughout the Diocese. As an ambassador, you'll help process donations and connect with parishioners after Mass. All volunteers will receive training and a free t-shirt to wear while supporting this i...

The power of role modeling for tamariki [children]

Thanks to Common Good’s generous support, the Graeme Dingle Foundation Waikato has delivered the Kiwi Can programme to 10 primary schools, reaching 1,815 tamariki every week. This funding has fostered positive behaviour, values, and life skills in communities facing socio-economic challenges.Kiwi Can is more than just a programme—it’s a consistent presence that builds confidence, wellbeing, and school culture. At Huntly West School, tamariki adore their Kiwi Can leader, Matua Marlon, whose...

New elected Pope Leo XIV's call for peace

Recently, a historic moment unfolded as Pope Leo XIV delivered his first address in St Peter's Square. This speech marked more than just the beginning of a new papacy—it signalled hope and unity within a divided world. As the Common Good Foundation, it's crucial to reflect on such events that resonate with our mission of compassion and service. Pope Leo's address emphasises peace, a core tenet that aligns with our charity's journey since 1982. Pope Leo XIV's vision for the future involves not ...

Introducing Papatūānuku Support Services and Te Hāpai Mokopuna programme

The Common Good Foundation were very grateful for the introduction to Papatūānuku Support Services (PSS) which came through their application for funding in 2024. Papatūānuku Support Services applied for funding for Te Hāpai Mokopuna (THM), a programme aimed at providing tailored support to tamariki aged 7-12....

Featuring the Good: Video update from Youth Encounter Ministries

The Common Good Foundation is excited to share an inspiring video update from Youth Encounter Ministries. As a 2024 grant recipient, Youth Encounter Ministries continues to transform lives. This video showcases their incredible work and the impact they have on youth, fostering growth and resilience....

AGM 2025 27th May - REGISTER HERE.

The annual Common Good Foundation AGM will be held at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Tuesday 27th of May 2025.The AGM will begin with the 12:05pm weekday Mass and the meeting will follow in the foyer of the Cathedral.To register click here.Any question or queries please contact Caroline at admin@commongood.org.nz...

Big Buddy Does Good - Rotoroa Project

Here at the Common Good Foundation we love to hear of the GOOD that is happening in the community. Big Buddy are one of the community groups who received a grant in 2024.Big Buddy works on the simple philosophy that a boy will benefit greatly from having a positive male role model in their life.A Big Buddy relationship doesn’t just provide a man to do ‘blokey things’ with, it offers friendship, support and a good male role model to look up to. These men aren’t superheroes; they are just ...

A special collaboration with Downlights

Downlights is a social enterprise that employs young adults with Down syndrome and learning disabilities to manufacture luxury scented soy candles right here in Aotearoa. When you purchase candles from the Common Good Foundation, you're helping to contribute to ongoing employment opportunities for the Downlights crew. Watch this video to learn more about our collaboration.  ...

2024 Grant Recipients

Big Buddy Mentoring TrustCathedral of the Blessed Virgin MaryGraeme Dingle Foundation Waikato*Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank*Hamilton Pastoral Services TeamHoly Name of Jesus Parish (Raglan)Hope Rising Charitable Farm TrustHuringa Pai Charitable Trust*Kids in Need WaikatoMacKillop Catholic YouthOrange Sky Charitable Trust*Papatuuaanuku Charitable Trust*Refugee Orientation Centre TrustSchool Start 1st ImpressionsTauranga Community Foodbank*Te Hahi Aotearoa Trust*Te Rongopai Community TrustT...

Sunshine Services Inc

Sunshine Service has celebrated a milestone birthday after 40 years on the road. Many of Gisborne’s elderly and disabled rely on their services for transport to medical, recreational, and social appointments.“It’s mind boggling to think how many clients we’ve supported since our first vehicle hit the road 40 years ago, and how many hours people have volunteered over the years to keep our operation running,” says David Dewar, Sunshine Service Manager. A smaller purpose-built vehicle des...

Waikato Family Centre

Waikato Family Centre Caring for mothers and their babies in times of crisis. Waikato Family Centre works centrally in Hamilton from a welcoming villa on Radnor street. The facilities include sleeping rooms for babies and their mothers, a communal kitchen area, and a comfy lounge.The Centre provides daytime assistance and support for families in the community and the greater Waikato region, who are struggling with concerns with their babies and toddlers.The service covers a wide range of Ch...

Kids in Need Waikato

"No child is to be given a rubbish bag to hold their belongings" is Linda Roil's mantra for children placed in foster care. These are now replaced with beautifully constructed colourful sacks filled with a set of pyjamas, clean clothes, shoes, toiletries, books, and toys, with a crafted card attached detailing that the bag belongs to a named child.OperationThe operation is run from a property outside Cambridge, in a purpose-built shed with shelving and mezzanine floors. The donated goods are del...

Huringa Pai

Huringa Pai is an organisation working to support community in the Tairawhiti region. Its overarching aim is to empower women in improving their Fono Fale (well-being).The vision of this charitable trust is to enable whanau to live longer, healthier lives, as it became apparent to Willem Jordaan (the founder of this trust) that many whanau were dying too young. Its focus is to empower them with knowledge as to how to overcome these diseases by walking beside them and to support them in making a ...

Parish of Tongariro Catholic

Parish of Tongariro Catholic have recieved grants for a number of community outreach activities. Grants that they have recieved have be utilised to;support the Tuesday Community Lunch which has now been running successfully for 5 years, catering to those in need of a hot 3 course mealprovide firewood to parishioners in needsupport the Helping Hands outreach (a project through which Parish members prepare meals which have been given to the Turangi Foodbank)support the neighbouring Catholic p...

Orange Sky Volunteers

The wonderful Team at Orange Sky have a simple formula – providing a platform for everyday people to connect through a regular laundry and shower service. Each week all over Aotearoa, hundreds of volunteers come together to ensure that people experiencing homelessness or hardship have a place to access essential services and build genuine connections.Meet the amazing volunteers who work for Orange Sky in supporting those in need....